NHS Doncaster CCG has the responsibility for purchasing and structuring healthcare services for over 320,000 patients in Doncaster, South Yorkshire. The CCG first introduced Consultant Connect in August 2017 it was launched with three specialties and is now available across 15 specialties.
“I’ll be honest, from a commissioner perspective it’s saved us money, purely from the fact that we haven’t made that referral. But more importantly it definitely has improved the relationships between secondary and primary care, we think, you know, there’s much more now a name to somebody as opposed to a specialty.” Anthony Fitzgerald, Director of Strategy & Delivery NHS Doncaster CCG
At the beginning of this week, we asked Anthony for an update on how the CCG have coped with COVID-19, how it has moved forward into Phase 3 and what role Consultant Connect has played in supporting it.
- How Consultant Connect has helped NHS Doncaster CCG in Anthony’s words:
“We’ve been able to standardise Consultant Connect really as the go to approach for any conversation between primary and secondary care during the COVID response.”
“Over the last couple of months, engagement has increased with Consultant Connect and I think some of the previous reluctant clinicians are now moving towards champions (in terms of its use) and it’s been crucial to keep the flow of elective activity really, really going.”
“I think Consultant Connect will be essential in supporting us to recover the elective and planning waiting list position.”
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